Legends of Women’s Tennis


Book Description

From the pioneers of the early days of the sport to the superstars of today, Legends of Women's Tennis tells the stories of the women who have thrilled and inspired fans both on and off the tennis court.




We Have Come a Long Way


Book Description

There is no one more qualified to write a complete book on the evolution of women's tennis than Billie Jean King, one of the most famous and celebrated players in tennis history. From her unique vantage point, King tells how women's tennis has developed into the major international sport it is today. Photos.




Tennis Legends


Book Description

The first Wimbledon tennis tournament was held in 1877. Today, tennis is a highly paid professional sport. From Roger Federer to Venus and Serena Williams, discover the game’s greatest players and their achievements in Tennis Legends, a Hall of Fame book. This series invites readers to explore some of the best-loved sports in the United States. Each book pairs fascinating facts with brilliant photography to showcase the history, statistics, championships, and legends of each sport.




Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams


Book Description

"This one's a winner." --Chicago Tribune A 2019 ILA Teacher's Choices Reading List Selection! An inspiring picture book sports biography about two of the greatest female tennis players of all-time! Venus and Serena Williams: Best friends. Sisters. Champions. Everyone knows the names Venus & Serena Williams. They've become synonymous with championships, hard work, and with shaking up the tennis world. This inspirational true story, written by award-winning sports journalist, Howard Bryant, and brought to beautiful life by Coretta Scott Kind Award and Honor winner, Floyd Cooper, details the sisters' journey from a barely-there tennis court in Compton, CA, to Olympic gold medals and becoming the #1 ranked women in the sport of tennis. Here is a worthy ode to Venus and Serena Williams, the incredible sister duo who will go down in history as two of the greatest athletes of all time. "Alive with warmth and movement, these luminous, soft-edged scenes portray the sisters gradually growing into strong, capable women. A handsome sports biography." --Booklist "There is a sharp focus in the book on the two sisters' special bond and friendship; it lies at the heart of this biography, and the women's stories are remarkable. It's high time they had their own picture book tribute."--Kirkus




Serena Williams


Book Description

Do you love tennis? If so, this is the book for you. It tells the story of Serena Williams, one of the greatest female tennis players in history. This biography takes an in-depth look at her life and career on and off the court. Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of our time. A dominant force in women's tennis, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals. In addition to her unparalleled accomplishments on the court, Serena is also an outspoken advocate for social justice and gender equality. She is a powerful role model for young women everywhere, and an inspiration to us all. Serena was born in 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard Williams and Oracene Price. Her father had a background in tennis, and he introduced Serena and her sister Venus to the sport at a young age. The sisters quickly began to dominate the junior tennis circuit, and by the early 2000s they were both ranked among the top ten players in the world. In 2002, Serena won her first major singles title at the French Open. This was just the beginning of her incredible run of success. Over the next decade, she would go on to win Wimbledon five times, the US Open six times, and the Australian Open three times. She also reached the finals of all four major tournaments on multiple occasions. In total, Serena has appeared in 31 Grand Slams. You'll learn about all her accomplishments, both personal and professional. Plus, find out what makes her one of the most feared competitors in tennis - and in sports overall. Get a glimpse into her mindset as she strives to be the best that she can be. Order your copy of Serena Williams today!




Billie Jean King, A Smashing Biography


Book Description

Sports are an area where you need to be physically and mentally fit. There, feelings or thoughts do not show much value. But by editing the pages of history, a sports heroine appeared there. American female player Billie Jean King emerged by proving her excellence in tennis. She followed her ancestry and got into sports. Her parents and brother are experts in the field of sports. Once upon a time, women were silent in sports. With the arrival of Billie, she became the voice of change. She also became a voice and face for women’s struggles in that area. As her name “King” suggests, she has transformed into the head of women in sports. Among her advances, she brought revolutionary changes through the “Battle of the Sexes”, a challenge with a senior player like Bobby Riggs. In the future, Marilyn Barnett, who was with her, turned against Billie. It was a huge blow to the King. The mental strength she got in sports training brought her out of all problems. Billie Jean had a life of many “firsts”. Wimbledon, Grand Slam Titles, U.S. Open, etc are just a few of her achievements. Many organizations like the Women’s Sports Foundation, Women’s Tennis Association, etc. were born under Billie’s leadership. This is a book written by combining the most important moments and people of Billie Jean King’s personal and professional tennis life. Billie Jean Moffitt’s father Bill Moffitt, mother Betty Moffitt, brother Randy Moffitt, and ex-husband Larry King all come here as characters. The things and people that changed her life such as “The Battle of the Sexes”, Bobby Riggs, and Marilyn Barnett, are also introduced to the readers through this. The life of a woman sports player with a strong, assertive voice can be an example or inspiration to many.




You Cannot Be Serious


Book Description

A no-holds-barred, intimate memoir by John McEnroe—the bad boy of professional tennis. John McEnroe stunned the tennis elite when he came out of nowhere to make the Wimbledon semifinals at the age of eighteen—and just a few years later, he was ranked number one in the world. You Cannot Be Serious is McEnroe at his most personal, an intimate examination of Johnny Mac, the kid from Queens, and his “wild ride” through the world of professional tennis at a boom time when players were treated like rock stars. In this “bracing serve-and-volley autobiography” (The Boston Globe) he candidly explores the roots of his famous on-court explosions; his ambivalence toward the sport that made him famous; his adventures (and misadventures) on the road; his views of colleagues from Connors to Borg to Lendl; his opinions of contemporary tennis; his marriages to actress Tatum O'Neal and pop star Patty Smyth; and his roles as husband, father, senior tour player, and often-controversial commentator.




I am Billie Jean King


Book Description

Billie Jean King is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Read about this amazing woman athlete in the seventeenth picture book in the New York Times bestselling series of biographies about heroes. (Cover may vary) This friendly, fun biography series focuses on the traits that made our heroes great--the traits that kids can aspire to in order to live heroically themselves. Each book tells the story of one of America's icons in a lively, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers and that always includes the hero's childhood influences. At the back are an excellent timeline and photos. This volume features Billie Jean King, the world champion tennis player who fought successfully for women’s rights. From a young age, Billie Jean King loved sports—especially tennis! But as she got older, she realized that plenty of people, even respected male athletes, didn't take women athletes seriously. She set to prove them wrong and show girls everywhere that sports are for everyone, regardless of gender. This friendly, fun biography series inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. Included in each book are: • A timeline of key events in the hero’s history • Photos that bring the story more fully to life • Comic-book-style illustrations that are irresistibly adorable • Childhood moments that influenced the hero • Facts that make great conversation-starters • A virtue this person embodies: Billie Jean King's determination opened the door for countless other atheletes. You’ll want to collect each book in this dynamic, informative series!




Trailblazers


Book Description

Legendary tennis player Billie Jean King details the remarkable history of women’s tennis in this stunning edition of Trailblazers: The Unmatched Story of Women's Tennis. In celebration of the Women’s Tennis Association’s 50th anniversary, this updated and expanded edition—based on the 1988 original We Have Come a Long Way: The Story of Women's Tennis—includes more than 250 photographs and 33 years’ worth of stories about inspiring women and their achievements. The book arrives 53 years after King and eight other women players broke with the male tennis establishment and launched their own professional tour. With this gorgeous, photographically forward, and deeply moving ode to women’s tennis, King and coauathor Cynthia Star will continue the remarkable story in which King has played such an integral role, shedding new light on barriers that were overcome and milestones that were achieved. Women’s tennis today has never been more popular across the globe and, as this book demonstrates, has never been more diverse and inclusive.




Serena Williams


Book Description

Record-breaking, trend-setting, polarizing, and controversial, Serena Williams often sparks conversation and debate. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has a team, an entourage, celebrity groupies, and a band of fans who call themselves “Serena’s army.” When not winning titles, Williams finds time to run her own fashion line, endorse luxury and financial brands, and fund schools for girls in Africa and Jamaica. Serena Williams transcends sports. More than a biography, Serena Williams: Tennis Champion, Sports Legend, and Cultural Heroine not only tells the story of her upbringing and remarkable career but also looks at Williams as a sports pioneer. Merlisa Lawrence Corbett explores Williams’ influence on cultural and political issues such as body shaming, gender equality, and racism in sports and society. Corbett also analyzes Williams’ impact on discussions of feminism, the sports celebrity, and the marketing of female athletes. Williams is one of the most intriguing and influential figures in sports, and this book is the first to provide a fully-rounded portrait of a tennis icon.